A seasoned campaigner with a globe-trotting résumé will take on a fresh challenge this weekend as G T Five Hundred lines up in Sunday’s $100,000 Thorncliffe Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack , facing six rivals in a sharp 5 ½-furlong test.
The six-year-old son of Astern arrives with experience hard-earned across 10 racetracks in the United States, but this will mark his first appearance at Woodbine Racetrack. Trained by Dale Desruisseaux, the gelding represents a stable enjoying a wave of momentum after a standout 2025 season.
Purchased by Centennial Farms Niagara, the racing name of Dominic DiLalla, following the March Digital Sale at Fasig-Tipton, G T Five Hundred has quickly made a strong impression in his new surroundings. Desruisseaux admits the horse’s physical presence exceeded expectations.
“He’s much bigger than we thought — around 17.1 or 17.2 hands,” the trainer noted. “He’s built like a two-turn horse, even though he’s a sprinter.”
That versatility is reflected in his race record. Bred in Kentucky by Joe B. Mulholland Jr., John P. Mulholland and Karen Mulholland, the gelding boasts nine wins, six seconds and six thirds from 40 starts, with earnings surpassing $517,000. While he appears particularly effective on synthetic surfaces, he has also proven capable on dirt and turf.
G T Five Hundred’s rise through the ranks has been steady rather than sudden. After beginning his career at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2022, he broke his maiden at Oaklawn Park in early 2023. His breakthrough at stakes level came earlier this year at Turfway Park, where he edged home by a head in the Forego Stakes over 6 ½ furlongs on an all-weather surface. That performance, achieved in a time of 1:18.26, marked his third consecutive victory.
Now under the care of Desruisseaux, G T Five Hundred has continued to impress in morning training. Recent workouts over the Woodbine main track have included a sharp :47.00 bullet breeze on April 18, followed by a controlled yet swift :48.20 move a week later. Regular rider Rafael Hernandez, who retains the mount on Sunday, has reported that the gelding moves with ease and efficiency.
“He’s got a long, fluid stride and does everything right,” Desruisseaux said. “When they go faster than you think they are, it’s usually a very good sign.”
Sunday’s Thorncliffe Stakes presents a compact but competitive field. The line-up includes Dreaming of Kona, Roi Soleil, Scorching, Poulin in O T, Go Kart Mozart and Dark Screen, each bringing their own credentials to the sprint contest.
First run in 2022 and won by Arzak, the Thorncliffe Stakes continues to attract seasoned sprinters and rising contenders. For G T Five Hundred, it represents both a new track and a fresh opportunity to extend his upward trajectory.
With a capable rider aboard, a trainer in form, and a horse that appears to be thriving, the stage is set for an intriguing contest on Woodbine’s main track.
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